UCLA coach Steve Alford says he's not focused on openings

Lorenzo Powers |Saturday, March 18, 2017

UCLA coach Steve Alford says he's not focused on openings

Tasked with rebuilding the Hoosier program after Kelvin Sampson resigned amidst NCAA violations and sanctions, Crean was sub-.500 during his first three seasons before seemingly bringing the Hoosiers back with a 27-9 year and a run to the Sweet 16 in 2011-12. Marshall has taken the Shockers just about as high as they can go - to the Final Four, to an undefeated regular season. Alas, it was downhill from there, as the program struggled and went 18-16 overall and finished 10th in the Big Ten with a 7-11 mark.

Athletic director Fred Glass announced the decision on Thursday and said it was a decision that wasn't easy. In addition to that, Glass said he wants a coach who cares about the wellness and academics of the players, but more importantly someone who can win Big Ten and National Championships.

"I can't control what gets talked about, but no", Alford said. Crean will leave with a 166-135 record overall with a 71-91 Big Ten mark.

In many ways, it was. I've done it numerous times whether it be at Marquette or at Indiana.

When Crean took over, the Hoosiers faced the loss of two scholarships due to an Academic Progress Rate of 866.

However in recent years Crean hasn't been able to capitalize on that.

Following an uncharacteristic spate of off-court turmoil from 2014 to 2015, all alcohol-related incidents or reported drug suspensions, Crean had the team write handwritten letters of apology to former IU coaches, players and managers. Hunter had been in touch with in assistant Tim Buckley, but wasn't clear where exactly he stood with in in the recruiting process.

"Ultimately we seek more consistent high levels of success and we will not shy away from our expectations", said Glass. Being from the state of IN is a double check-plus.

IN came out of the locker room hot, scoring 12 points in the first 3:26 of the second half, including an 8-0 run to give IU its first lead since the early minutes of the first half.

"Jim Harbaugh looks at Crean's IN tenure and says, 'much like my situation IN San Francisco, the people that are doing the micromanaging ... when it comes to building a ball team, what they know could not blow up a small balloon".